Girls Athlete of the Week // Taylor Neudecker, North Carroll, tennis

The junior became the first singles player from Carroll County to capture a state title when she defeated Bethesda-Chevy Chase's Taylor Newman — 6-4, 7-6 (6-5) — in Saturday's final at the University of Maryland.

After defeating Northern-Calvert's Shannon Ramsey 6-3, 6-1 in the morning's semifinal match, the top-seeded Neudecker completed her 27-0 season in dramatic fashion with her toughest test against Newman. In the second set, neither player enjoyed more than a two-game lead before Neudecker claimed the title when Newman's shot went wide in the tie-breaker. In defeating three opponents to reach the title match, Neudecker yielded just nine games. In addition to the state title, she also claimed Carroll County and District VII titles this spring.

Others considered: Michelle Keller, Liberty, track and field; Samantha McElroy, Liberty, track and field; Erin McMunn, Winters Mill, lacrosse; Aneesha Scott, Long Reach, track and field; Morgan Torggler, Severna Park, lacrosse; Megan Will, Dulaney, track and field.